You’ve seen it everywhere. It's on the money in your pocket, the back of the car in front of you in I-4 traffic, and right there in the center of the Florida state flag. In God We Trust. Most people assume this phrase has just "always been there," like the humidity or the mosquitoes. But the actual story of what is the state motto for florida is way more tangled than a quick glance at a license plate suggests. It involves a rejected "rude" motto, a bunch of design errors on the state seal, and a surprisingly recent law that finally made it official.
Believe it or not, Florida didn't even have an "official" state motto by law until 2006. That sounds fake, right? The state has been around since 1845, yet the legislature didn't get around to put it in the statutes for over 150 years. Before that, it was just sort of "there" by tradition and by its inclusion on the Great Seal.
The Motto Florida Almost Had (And Why It Failed)
Back in 1845, when Florida was the new kid on the block as the 27th state, they tried to be a bit edgy. The very first unofficial motto was "Let Us Alone." Honestly, it’s a mood. You can almost hear the early Floridians yelling it at the federal government from a swamp. This motto was actually printed on the flag used at the inauguration of William D. Moseley, the first governor. However, the rest of the country—and many people in Florida—thought it was incredibly rude. A newspaper in Vermont basically called it "uncouth." People in Boston thought it was a weird way to join a union. Because of the backlash, that "Leave Us Alone" vibe was scrapped, and the flag was never officially adopted.
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Where "In God We Trust" Actually Came From
The phrase we use today, In God We Trust, didn't just pop into existence in Tallahassee. It’s a bit of a hand-me-down from the federal government and the Civil War era.
During the 1860s, there was a huge push for religious sentiment on currency. In 1868, the Florida Legislature decided the state needed a new seal. They specified that this seal should be the size of an American silver dollar. They also mandated that it include a scene with a steamboat, a cocoa tree, and a Seminole woman scattering flowers. Around the edge, they stuck the words: "Great Seal of the State of Florida: In God We Trust."
There’s a slight twist, though. Earlier versions used by Florida troops or in different state contexts sometimes said "In God is our Trust." It’s a small difference, but it shows how the phrase was still "filling in" during those early years.
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The Great Seal's Identity Crisis
What's funny is that while the motto stayed the same, the image surrounding it was a hot mess for over a century. For decades, the seal that carried the state motto for florida was factually ridiculous.
- The Mountains: The original seal showed mountains in the background. If you've ever driven through Florida, you know the highest point is basically a speed bump. Florida has no mountains.
- The Headdress: The Native American woman was originally depicted wearing a feathered headdress that only Great Plains tribes (mostly men) wore.
- The Tree: They originally called for a cocoa tree, which isn't even native to Florida.
It wasn't until 1985 that they finally cleaned up the seal to look like the Florida we actually know. They swapped the cocoa tree for a Sabal Palmetto, flattened the mountains, and made sure the Seminole woman was wearing historically accurate clothing.
Why 2006 Changed Everything
Even though "In God We Trust" was on the seal since 1868, it wasn't legally the "State Motto." It was just words on a stamp. It wasn't until Governor Jeb Bush signed a bill in 2006 that it became the official motto of the state under Florida Statute 15.0301.
Why then? It was mostly a move to align the state more closely with national identity. Florida is currently the only state that shares the exact same motto as the United States.
Where You’ll See It Today
If you live in Florida or are just visiting to see a giant mouse, you can't miss the motto.
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- The State Flag: It’s right in the center of the red St. Andrew’s Cross.
- Public Schools: Since 2018, Florida law (HB 839) requires every public school and school board building to display "In God We Trust" in a "conspicuous place."
- License Plates: You have the option to have it right there on your bumper.
Is It Controversial?
Kinda. Like the national motto, there have been legal challenges over the years. Some folks argue it violates the separation of church and state or that it's exclusionary to people who aren't monotheistic. However, the courts have generally ruled that these mottos are "ceremonial deism." Basically, the legal system views them as a traditional or patriotic flourish rather than the government forcing a specific religion on you.
Real World Takeaways
If you're ever at a trivia night or just want to sound smart at a barbecue, remember these three things:
- Florida's first "motto" was basically a "do not disturb" sign.
- The current motto was "unofficial" for 138 years before the law caught up.
- The imagery on the seal used to have mountains, which is the most "un-Florida" thing imaginable.
Next time you look at a Florida flag, look past the red stripes. The motto isn't just a phrase; it's a survivor of a very weird, very long legislative history.
Actionable Insights:
If you want to see the motto in its most "official" form, you can visit the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee, which houses the Florida Department of State. For those who want to display it themselves, the 2018 law means you can find these posters in just about any Florida public school hallway. If you're a history buff, look up the "1845 Moseley Flag" to see the original "Let Us Alone" design—it’s a wild piece of Florida lore that looks nothing like the flag we have today.